Introduce the animal in focus by playing “What’s in the Bag?” Prepare for reading by watching a short video clip about lions.* Read selected chapters to identify key details about lions – what are their distinguishing characteristics?

Revisit the informational text and read Prelutsky’s verse to identify lion behaviors. Define action words, use words in sentences, and create a list. Distinguish “shades of meaning about words” by acting out the lion’s actions while listening to the corresponding piece of music.

Routine Writing:

Draw and write about how lions behave, using one or more action words from the texts.

Read Prelutsky’s verse to identify words and phrases describing the tortoise. Generate words which are the opposite, and create a T-chart. Compare the tortoise to other animals. How is it different and alike? Act out tortoise behaviors while listening to the corresponding piece of’ Saint-Saens’ music.

Routine Writing:

Illustrate and label a pair of opposite words – one describing what a tortoise is, and the other what the tortoise is not.

After reading, discuss how the zoo animals responded to Amos’ absence and illness. Use details in the illustrations to chronicle events and provide insights. How was their visit to his home like a carnival of animals?

Routine Writing:

Draw and write about one event in the story that demonstrates how the animals responded to Amos’ absence or illness, giving details through pictures and words.